Robert Graves:
Born 24th July 1885 in London, Britian
Died 7th December 1985 on Majorca
British poet, and writer, his war poems were his most famous
such as David and Goliath. He was born in the upper middle class
which was known for being strict and cold, but well educated.
He also had a very literary history of anscestors, his great uncle Leopold
Von Ranke who was a highly accomplished historian was just one of a few.
Graves became a school-boxing champ in two weights(welter and middle). He
later began writing poetry. When WWI was declared he decided to support the
war by enlisting in the nearest town. He enlisted as an officer and joined the
Royal Welsh Fusilers.
==Robert Graves: Wild Straw Berries== Strawberries that in gardens grow
Are plump and juicy fine,
But sweeter far as wise men know
Spring from the woodland vine.
No need for bowl or silver spoon,
Sugar or spice or cream,
Has the wild berry plucked in June
Beside the trickling stream.
One such to melt at the tongue's root,
Confounding taste with scent,
Beats a full peck of garden fruit:
Which points my argument.
May sudden justice overtake
And snap the froward pen,
That old and palsied poets shake
Against the minds of men.
Blasphemers trusting to hold caught
In far-flung webs of ink,
The utmost ends of human thought
Till nothing's left to think.
But may the gift of heavenly peace
And glory for all time
Keep the boy Tom who tending geese
First made the nursery rhyme.
Rhyme Scheme: A B A B
C D C D
E F E F
G H G H
I J I J
K L K L
Reaction: I thought this poem had a lot of
meanings and i didn't have just one reaction
Poetic Devices: Imagery, Rhyme,
Theme+Historical context: It talks about
Tom who creates the first Nursery Rhyme
and not to treat anyone less equal because
they may one day do something great.
Robert Graves: A pinch of salt When a dream is born in you
With a sudden clamorous pain,
When you know the dream is true
And lovely, with no flaw nor stain,
O then, be careful, or with sudden clutch
You'll hurt the delicate thing you prize so much.
Dreams are like a bird that mocks,
Flirting the feathers of his tail.
When you seize at the salt-box,
Over the hedge you'll see him sail.
Old birds are neither caught with salt nor chaff:
They watch you from the apple bough and laugh.
Poet, never chase the dream.
Laugh yourself, and turn away.
Mask your hunger; let it seem
Small matter if he come or stay;
But when he nestles in your hand at last,
Close up your fingers tight and hold him fast.
Rhyme Scheme: A B A B C C
D E D E F F
G H G H I I
Reaction: I thought that this poem meant
that poets didnt just all of a sudden have a
beautiful poem in their head they have to
give it time but when it does get in your head HURRY AND WRITE IT DOWN.
Poetic Devices: Rhyme, symbolism,
Theme: The theme is upbeat and hopeful telling
young poets to wait for your chance to shine.
Robert Graves: 1915 I’ve watched the Seasons passing slow, so slow,
In the fields between La Bassée and Bethune;
Primroses and the first warm day of Spring,
Red poppy floods of June,
August, and yellowing Autumn, so
To Winter nights knee-deep in mud or snow,
And you’ve been everything.
Dear, you’ve been everything that I most lack
In these soul-deadening trenches—pictures, books,
Music, the quiet of an English wood,
Beautiful comrade-looks,
The narrow, bouldered mountain-track,
The broad, full-bosomed ocean, green and black,
And Peace, and all that’s good.
Rhyme Scheme: A B C B A A C
D E F E D D F
Reaction: I thought this poem was about the seasons but when I looked closer I realized there was more to it.
Poetic Devices: Rhyme, imagery,
Theme+Historical context: The theme is sort of depressing or "soul-deadening" Ha. It is talking about him wanting to be with his wife during the war.
==Robert Graves==
Born 24th July 1885 in London, Britian
Died 7th December 1985 on Majorca
British poet, and writer, his war poems were his most famous
such as David and Goliath. He was born in the upper middle class
which was known for being strict and cold, but well educated.
He also had a very literary history of anscestors, his great uncle Leopold
Von Ranke who was a highly accomplished historian was just one of a few.
Graves became a school-boxing champ in two weights(welter and middle). He
later began writing poetry. When WWI was declared he decided to support the
war by enlisting in the nearest town. He enlisted as an officer and joined the
Royal Welsh Fusilers.
==Robert Graves: Wild Straw Berries==
Strawberries that in gardens grow
Are plump and juicy fine,
But sweeter far as wise men know
Spring from the woodland vine.
No need for bowl or silver spoon,
Sugar or spice or cream,
Has the wild berry plucked in June
Beside the trickling stream.
One such to melt at the tongue's root,
Confounding taste with scent,
Beats a full peck of garden fruit:
Which points my argument.
May sudden justice overtake
And snap the froward pen,
That old and palsied poets shake
Against the minds of men.
Blasphemers trusting to hold caught
In far-flung webs of ink,
The utmost ends of human thought
Till nothing's left to think.
But may the gift of heavenly peace
And glory for all time
Keep the boy Tom who tending geese
First made the nursery rhyme.
Rhyme Scheme: A B A B
C D C D
E F E F
G H G H
I J I J
K L K L
Reaction: I thought this poem had a lot of
meanings and i didn't have just one reaction
Poetic Devices: Imagery, Rhyme,
Theme+Historical context: It talks about
Tom who creates the first Nursery Rhyme
and not to treat anyone less equal because
they may one day do something great.
Robert Graves: A pinch of salt
When a dream is born in you
With a sudden clamorous pain,
When you know the dream is true
And lovely, with no flaw nor stain,
O then, be careful, or with sudden clutch
You'll hurt the delicate thing you prize so much.
Dreams are like a bird that mocks,
Flirting the feathers of his tail.
When you seize at the salt-box,
Over the hedge you'll see him sail.
Old birds are neither caught with salt nor chaff:
They watch you from the apple bough and laugh.
Poet, never chase the dream.
Laugh yourself, and turn away.
Mask your hunger; let it seem
Small matter if he come or stay;
But when he nestles in your hand at last,
Close up your fingers tight and hold him fast.
Rhyme Scheme: A B A B C C
D E D E F F
G H G H I I
Reaction: I thought that this poem meant
that poets didnt just all of a sudden have a
beautiful poem in their head they have to
give it time but when it does get in your head HURRY AND WRITE IT DOWN.
Poetic Devices: Rhyme, symbolism,
Theme: The theme is upbeat and hopeful telling
young poets to wait for your chance to shine.
Robert Graves: 1915
I’ve watched the Seasons passing slow, so slow,
In the fields between La Bassée and Bethune;
Primroses and the first warm day of Spring,
Red poppy floods of June,
August, and yellowing Autumn, so
To Winter nights knee-deep in mud or snow,
And you’ve been everything.
Dear, you’ve been everything that I most lack
In these soul-deadening trenches—pictures, books,
Music, the quiet of an English wood,
Beautiful comrade-looks,
The narrow, bouldered mountain-track,
The broad, full-bosomed ocean, green and black,
And Peace, and all that’s good.
Rhyme Scheme: A B C B A A C
D E F E D D F
Reaction: I thought this poem was about the seasons but when I looked closer I realized there was more to it.
Poetic Devices: Rhyme, imagery,
Theme+Historical context: The theme is sort of depressing or "soul-deadening" Ha. It is talking about him wanting to be with his wife during the war.